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ESCAP has been convening Asia-Pacific Urban Forums periodically since 1993. The first Forum was held in conjunction with the Ministerial Conference on Urbanization which called for such forums to be held on a periodic basis.

Unlike single stakeholder networks, ESCAP has convening power at the regional level. The Asia-Pacific Urban Forums bring together various stakeholders such as Ministers, Mayors, captains of industry, academics, civil society organizations, community leaders and the media under one platform to:

1. Identify and discuss critical and emerging urban issues among various stakeholders

2. Share experiences and best practices

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The Fifth Asia-Pacific Urban Forum was held in Bangkok from 20-25 June 2011. It was organized by ESCAP in partnership with 30 partner organizations

Over 900 participants from 45 countries attended, including Ministers, mayors, senior national government and local government officials, academics, civil society organizations, the private sector.

The opening ceremony presided over by Dr. HRH Princess Chulabhorn Mahidol

Opening address by H.E. Prime Minister of Thailand

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ESCAP organized the Asia-Pacific Urban Forum in Partnership with 30 other organizations within and outside the UN family.

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Asia-Pacific Urban Forum was unique and ground breaking in many ways. First and foremost it is designed to be multi-stakeholder so that all stakeholders can discuss emerging and critical urban issues from their perspectives, with equal standing. So the minister has the same right to speak as a slum dweller. As there are no declarations, there are no binding texts to be negotiated, the exchange is frank and open. In fact the issue of corruption and organized crime in urban areas came up in several discussions. And all sorts of issues related to cities were discussed from green buildings to financing development to social fabric and slums. The Asia-Pacific Urban Forum was designed to allow participating agencies organizing break-out sessions to advertize their sessions in special plenary session slots. As you have seen APUF 5 was organized by several partners. In fact ESCAP organized several preparatory meetings with partners before and after the Forum. New media such as twitter, webcasting, video conferencing were used not only to organize APUF 5 but to link APUF 5 to local urban forums in four cities in Asia and the Pacific.

The Forum comprised 3 plenary discussions which were webcasted live and were also linked to local forums in 3 other cities in Asia and the Pacific through twitter. There were also five sub-regional focus group discussions, 19 sessions in the Bazaar of Ideas and Practices, 11 associated and side events including the Ministerial Dialogue on Cities Without Slum organized by the Government of Thailand, Asian Coalition for Housing Rights and ESCAP. There were also 2 study visits, an exhibition and a documentary night

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As a direct result of the Forum several agreements were signed at the Forum. These included:

1. A bilateral agreement between the governments of Indonesia and Thailand on technical cooperation to promote cities without slums

2. Between CITYNET and Asian Coalition for Housing Rights on low-income housing

3. Between Cities Development Initiative for Asia and CITYNET on financing urban development

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The Forum came to the following key conclusions. Mr. Chung may wish to read out the text

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Mr. Chung may wish to read out the text

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Mr. Chung may wish to read out the text

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Mr. Chung may wish to read out the text

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Mr. Chung may wish to read out the text

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The Fifth Asia-Pacific Urban Forum made the following recommendations for actions by ESCAP and its partners. Mr. Chung may wish to read out the text

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Mr. Chung may wish to read out the text

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Mr. Chung may wish to read out the text

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